KOTA BARU, 19 Dec 2008: Despite the risks involved, the majority of those testing positive for HIV in Kelantan this year are getting hitched.
State health department director Dr Lila P Mohamed Meeran said 38 people intending to get married had tested positive after undergoing HIV tests.
“Of this number, 30 have decided to proceed while the rest have called off their marriage.
“We don’t encourage them to go through with marriage because of the risks that they will face. We can only inform them of the risks involved, especially during pregnancy, but (eventually) it is their decision.
“Despite being advised against marriage, couples still decide to get married out of love,” she told reporters after launching 2008 World AIDS Day here today.
Lila said that this year, more than 22,000 people in Kelantan who were planning to get hitched, had undergone HIV tests.
She said the number of people infected by HIV had increased to 644 this year, compared with 607 last year.
Of the total, 86% were men, with the majority aged between 20 and 39, she added. — Bernama
See also: Mandatory testing flawed
